Updated Oct 14th: Mask Policy varies on Voyage Length

[Buckeye10640]

So...I am in agreement  with requiring vaccines and  testing, and had accepted the requirement to wear facemasks in elevators (I use stairs) and shops and the casino and crowded indoor areas,  etc. But this new 100% masked indooors, sip and mask policy for 10+ day cruises is just taking things too far. If they are that worried then just test us all midway thru the cruise.  I am a 'rule follower' by nature but I am sorry to say I may be sipping ALOT in the bars and eating areas at least. 

I will spend as much time as possible outdoors and meanwhile I pray nobody decides we need an OUTDOORS mask requirement too before my  10 day Nov cruise.......

 

Edited October 17, 2021 by Buckeye10640

[cruiseintoheaven]

39 minutes ago, Buckeye10640 said:

So...I am in agreement  with requiring vaccines and  testing, and had accepted the requirement to wear facemasks in elevators (I use stairs) and shops and the casino and crowded indoor areas,  etc. But this new 100% masked indooors, sip and mask policy for 10+ day cruises is just taking things too far. If they are that worried then just test us all midway thru the cruise.  I am a 'rule follower' by nature but I am sorry to say I may be sipping ALOT in the bars and eating areas at least. 

I will spend as much time as possible outdoors and meanwhile I pray nobody decides we need an OUTDOORS mask requirement too before my  10 day Nov cruise.......

 

I agree, and think this is destined to do nothing but make both crew and pax miserable.  Are they really going to monitor everyone at all times and step in to enforce this while people are eating and drinking?  

[Redwing55]

This will sound like a rebel, but I really wonder how effectively this will be enforced.. masking for longer cruises.  Just look how lax formal attire in the dining rooms is.  Imagine one has a drink in hand.  Do you really think that someone of authority will aggressively approach the individual and order them to put the mask on?  And even then, they'll put it on, then maybe let it slip down or just take it off and hold it in the drink hand after the next sip.  And practically, if one is drinking while standing... something not all that uncommon, how does one put a mask back on with one hand?  

 

I've rarely seen any aggressive enforcement on Princess.  True, they'll likely remind politely, but I really think this will be tough to enforce on the longer cruises. 

Just think how a mask will function with one with a few drinks in them.  Anyone see dry napkins in bars layed out? Food and drink for thought.

[chamima]

On 10/16/2021 at 4:02 PM, cruiseintoheaven said:

 

I feel like much of this is “Covid theatre” for lack of a better term.  I understand Princess wanting to keep pax/crew healthy for many reasons but this just seems confusing and like overkill.  Make it a requirement to be fully vaccinated and let people enjoy themselves.  I mean - am I nuts thinking that those of us itching to get back to cruising are already aware that a ship is not the safest place to be if you’re worried about Covid, but are happy/willing to assume that risk?

 

I was under the impression that everyone sailing on Princess already had to be fully vaccinated.

Is that incorrect?

[chamima]

On 10/16/2021 at 4:02 PM, cruiseintoheaven said:

 

I feel like much of this is “Covid theatre” for lack of a better term.  I understand Princess wanting to keep pax/crew healthy for many reasons but this just seems confusing and like overkill.  Make it a requirement to be fully vaccinated and let people enjoy themselves.  I mean - am I nuts thinking that those of us itching to get back to cruising are already aware that a ship is not the safest place to be if you’re worried about Covid, but are happy/willing to assume that risk?

 

I was under the impression that everyone sailing on Princess already had to be fully vaccinated.

Is that incorrect?

[hamrag]

On 10/15/2021 at 3:02 AM, Steelers36 said:

.....Can someone please explain what happens on a ship between Day 9 & Day 10?....

 

Yes....on Princess ships the mask policy in bars changes! 😂

[PrincessLuver]

On 10/16/2021 at 8:28 PM, cruiseintoheaven said:

I agree, and think this is destined to do nothing but make both crew and pax miserable.  Are they really going to monitor everyone at all times and step in to enforce this while people are eating and drinking?  

 

There are probably a number of us who will get more upset not seeing people willing to follow simple health protocols that they are being asked to cooperate with and have AGREED TO for the sake of all when they sign their passage contract

 

Princess should not have to tell adults how to self-monitor themselves.   Why jeopardize the staff and others for your own selfish interests.  Covid is not gone by any means, is increasing dramatically again in places like the UK and some parts of the US and the new Delta Plus variant has arrived on the scene.

 

 

[bigmjh]

Why is it so difficult for some people to understand that stores, restaurants, cruise lines etc. all may have rules and policies in place that you do not agree with? And, it is totally within their rights to mandate compliance. If you do not wish to abide by these restrictions, it is YOUR right to shop, dine or sail elsewhere. You DO NOT have the right to opt out and choose to defy these rules. Easy peasy.

[wowzz]

3 hours ago, bigmjh said:

You DO NOT have the right to opt out and choose to defy these rules. Easy peasy.

As long as the rules are not changed at the least minute for no rational reason.

[cruiseintoheaven]

I’m not lobbying to defy the rules, rather I am questioning the rules themselves - are they necessary?  Are they able to be fairly enforced?  Why are some other lines not requiring masks?  What happens differently between day 9 and 10 on a cruise?  These seem like valid points or questions.  And I will either cruise and comply or not cruise - I’m not a rebel without a cause. 

[whitecap]

IMHO, here is what I see as the problem to all the restrictions/requirements and recommendations:  our society has changed; we no longer have a society of "all for one and one for all"; we have a society of "all for me and you for me".  Now please don't get offended as I know that the majority of people want to follow rules, want to do what is right and want to not only take care of themselves but do what is best for everyone.  It is that loud minority that will refuse to wear the mask, refuse to use the hand sanitizer, refuse to comply with the number of persons in the elevator and so on.  And by doing so, they put everyone else in danger not to mention placing Princess in a position of, do they strictly enforce or just politely ask for compliance.  We were excited that Princess was going to go to 100% vaccinated, but as the days passed and it became obvious that 100% had turned to much less, we cancelled.  When you find yourself stuck in an elevator with some who doesn't wear their mask or has it down around their chin, you'll realize that there ain't anything you can do about it.  It will only take one selfish person to infect many.   

[chamima]

1 hour ago, whitecap said:

We were excited that Princess was going to go to 100% vaccinated, but as the days passed and it became obvious that 100% had turned to much less, we cancelled.  When you find yourself stuck in an elevator with some who doesn't wear their mask or has it down around their chin, you'll realize that there ain't anything you can do about it.  It will only take one selfish person to infect many.   

IMHO, here is what I see as the problem to all the restrictions/requirements and recommendations:  our society has changed; we no longer have a society of "all for one and one for all"; we have a society of "all for me and you for me".  Now please don't get offended as I know that the majority of people want to follow rules, want to do what is right and want to not only take care of themselves but do what is best for everyone.  It is that loud minority that will refuse to wear the mask, refuse to use the hand sanitizer, refuse to comply with the number of persons in the elevator and so on.  And by doing so, they put everyone else in danger not to mention placing Princess in a position of, do they strictly enforce or just politely ask for compliance. 

 

 

 

I was under the impression that it was still Princess policy that EVERYONE boarding has to be vaccinated. Where did you get information that that is no longer poilicy?

Edited October 23, 2021 by chamima

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, whitecap said:

it became obvious that 100% had turned to much less, we cancelled. 

Where did you get this idea?  Even if Princess allowed some exemptions, it is hardly "much less".  I agree with  @chamima.

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, whitecap said:

It is that loud minority that will refuse to wear the mask

What makes you think this minority is "loud"?

[whitecap]

1 minute ago, chamima said:

 

 

I was under the impression that it was still Princess policy that EVERYONE boarding has to be vaccinated. Where did you get information that that is no longer poilicy?

It is my understanding that Princess is still not allowed to "ask" for vaccination status in the state of Florida. You can volunteer the information if you wish.  That means to me that it will not be 100% verified vaccinated.  Add to that the availability of purchasing fake vaccination cards and the exemptions from the vaccination.  

[whitecap]

2 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

What makes you think this minority is "loud"?

Do you watch the news?  It is the best comedy show on television!!

[Steelers36]

3 minutes ago, whitecap said:

Do you watch the news?  It is the best comedy show on television!!

Yes, but I don't see the news spending much time on Covid anymore (USA).  Our Canadian national news spends more than 50% of their time still on Covid.

 

ETA:  And much of the "news" isn't news anyway.  It's a lot of debate and commentary.

Edited October 23, 2021 by Steelers36

[Syracusefan44]

9 minutes ago, whitecap said:

It is my understanding that Princess is still not allowed to "ask" for vaccination status in the state of Florida. You can volunteer the information if you wish.  That means to me that it will not be 100% verified vaccinated.  Add to that the availability of purchasing fake vaccination cards and the exemptions from the vaccination.  

Your vaccine card is uploaded on the app prior to the cruise which more than likely has servers at Princess HQ in California.

[Steelers36]

2 hours ago, whitecap said:

It is my understanding that Princess is still not allowed to "ask" for vaccination status in the state of Florida. You can volunteer the information if you wish.  That means to me that it will not be 100% verified vaccinated.  Add to that the availability of purchasing fake vaccination cards and the exemptions from the vaccination.  

If you are so worried about guests presenting fake vaccine proof, that could happen in any port - not just PE.  Sounds like you aren't quite ready to cruise yet.

[whitecap]

14 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

If you are so worried about guests presenting fake vaccine proof, that could happen in any port - not just PE.  Sounds like you aren't quite ready to cruise yet.

You couldn't be more correct!  DW and I have, since Feb 2020, taken every precaution.  We have followed every recommendation and we have stayed safe.  Neighbors, co-workers and even relatives have refused to follow many if not all and many have become infected.  When Princess said that they were going to 100% vaccinated, we felt ok with that but when the Florida Governor decided that the cruise lines could not "ask" for proof, Amazon, Ebay and others were selling fake vaccination cards online and the list of possible exemptions increased, we decided after over 35 cruises and our experience with passengers who don't follow the rules,  we were not going to take the chance.  Not only do we not want the virus, we don't want to be the one who brings it home and gives it to a relative or neighbor.  Our choice.  We hope that all that who decide to cruise stay safe and have a great time.  😀

Edited October 24, 2021 by whitecap

[jenndisney]

18 hours ago, Syracusefan44 said:

Your vaccine card is uploaded on the app prior to the cruise which more than likely has servers at Princess HQ in California.

We leave in a month from Florida and I don’t see any place on the app for me to upload my vaccination card.  I am asked to confirm that I am vaccinated and that if I am not and I’m requesting an exemption it gives me a list of requirements such as always wearing a mask and agreeing to social distance. and also agreeing to the $150 charge for the additional test that will be done during the cruise.  I am fully vaccinated but I am fully aware that there will be people on my cruise that are not coming from America.

[Steelers36]

19 hours ago, Syracusefan44 said:

Your vaccine card is uploaded on the app prior to the cruise which more than likely has servers at Princess HQ in California.

 

29 minutes ago, jenndisney said:

We leave in a month from Florida and I don’t see any place on the app for me to upload my vaccination card.  I am asked to confirm that I am vaccinated and that if I am not and I’m requesting an exemption it gives me a list of requirements such as always wearing a mask and agreeing to social distance. and also agreeing to the $150 charge for the additional test that will be done during the cruise.  I am fully vaccinated but I am fully aware that there will be people on my cruise that are not coming from America.

The uploading of vaccine proof was a short-term feature in MC App and was removed.  Probably because they decided needed/wanted to see the original document proof.  (If you then ask why upload passport since they also need to see that, I would say it is because they want the id info so the booking info matches and it is used to provide required info for passenger manifest).

[Musky Ike]

2 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

 

The uploading of vaccine proof was a short-term feature in MC App and was removed.  Probably because they decided needed/wanted to see the original document proof.  (If you then ask why upload passport since they also need to see that, I would say it is because they want the id info so the booking info matches and it is used to provide required info for passenger manifest).

I am still confused. How will Princess require vaccination proof at Florida ports? Did the law (executive order) against that get struck down again? 

[capriccio]

1 hour ago, Musky Ike said:

I am still confused. How will Princess require vaccination proof at Florida ports? Did the law (executive order) against that get struck down again? 

 

Of those that are currently sailing, they get around it by citing the Bahamas requirement.  Many, if not most, of the major cruise lines have private beaches/islands in the Bahamas.

 

For example, Royal Caribbean (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/do-i-need-a-covid-vaccine-to-cruise-what-counts-as-proof)  :  For guests departing from Florida homeports, this is a requirement of The Bahamas and St. Thomas governments for a cruise ship to enter their waters, and is currently planned to remain in effect until November 1, 2021, at which point the policy may be updated.

 

Will it change November 1st?  I doubt it and I suspect that the cruise lines are quite fine with being able to 'blame' the Bahamas.

 

[nocl]

On 10/23/2021 at 3:22 AM, wowzz said:

As long as the rules are not changed at the least minute for no rational reason.

There are rational reasons, but many choose not to hear them.